Expect to see desperation as the Denver Broncos meet the Kansas City Chiefs in a rematch of AFC West rivals and 9-2 teams.
The Chiefs take the field at home Sunday having lost their past two games, starting with Nov. 17's 27-17 game at Denver. The Broncos have injury questions to answer as they come off a loss last week to the New England Patriots.
Broncos officials said Saturday their defense will be without end Derek Wolfe, who was stricken with illness en route to Denver airport.
"After the club's medical staff examined him, he was taken to the hospital by ambulance for testing and observation," the team said in a media statement. At this time, Wolfe is continuing to be evaluated by doctors to determine the cause of his symptoms."
Wolfe started every game this season, aligned at end or tackle depending on the scheme employed. Coaches expect to spread his snaps among several linemen, including Robert Ayers and Shaun Phillips, the Denver Post reported.
They also are without lineman Kevin Vickerson, a fixture for their run defense who is out for the season with a hip injury.
Meanwhile, the Broncos answered a question about their running game when announcing Knowshown Moreno would start Sunday. However, the team also said Montee Ball would get time at running back as Moreno recovers from an ankle injury against the Patriots.
The Chiefs will look to exploit any advantage against Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense, and against a nicked-up defense.
Having lost the season's first matchup, the Chiefs see Sunday as their chance to return to first place in the AFC West.
“That’s our main focus right now, to be in first place in the division," linebacker Derrick Johnson told the Kansas City Star. That’s your goal at the beginning of the year … Denver is coming into our house, and we still have the opportunity to be in first place in the division. We have to take advantage of it.”
Wolfe is the second defensive starter who needed emergency medical attention in the last two weeks.
On Nov. 18, safety Rahim Moore had surgery to staunch bleeding in the muscle sheath in his lower left leg, a condition known as lateral compartment syndrome that can cost patients a limb or even their life.
Wolfe has had a tough year. He was whisked from the field in an ambulance in a preseason game at Seattle after a hit to his head and neck. He then missed more than a week of practice. In September, he had a bout of food poisoning that led to problems keeping his weight up.
Kickoff Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.